A Chance Encounter | Fred Weasley

Chapter 24

Roman shut his eyes tight as he resisted the strong thumping in his head. He tried to steady his breathing as adrenaline pumped through his veins. A few pieces of debris were hitting his back, his body aching from the blast.

Beneath him he could see a distinct head of red hair. Roman couldn't tell if he was okay, let alone if he was even breathing. Shouts were coming from all around him as people checked for survivors of the explosion.

"ROCKWOOD!" he heard someone yell, quick footsteps following and fading into the distance.

He groaned as he tried to prop himself up. "Fred? Fred, you alright?"

No response.

Roman quickly felt hands on either side of him that pulled him to his feet. His muscles felt tense and his back ached from the impact.

George, check on Fred," his sister's voice ordered. "Roman, what the hell were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that I wanted to save Fred's life." He looked down at his sister who had her hands on his face, quickly moving them along his torso and arms – checking every inch of his being for injuries. She paused for a moment when he uttered his explanation, her eyes glancing quickly past him as George tried to wake his brother.

"Thank you," she told Roman. She looked him over once again, relieved that there seemed to only be a few scratches and bruises on him. "You look alright."

He looked at his sister, blood dripping down the side of her face and her rosy cheeks out in full force. Her eyes were fierce and determined, a look he was getting more and more used to now that she was growing up. In those moments, he could see a reflection of their father just as he had seen that same reflection in Michael.

"What about Fred?" Roman asked, his face flashing with concern.

Clara's jaw clenched as she pushed past him and joined George in his efforts. Fred's face sported a few new cuts and dirt stains, his clothes covered in dust from the explosion of marble around them.

"Fred?" she called to him.

She pushed two fingers onto the side of his neck.

His pulse was faint, but it was there.

"Fred? Can you hear me?"

She tried to shake him awake. She conjured up water and tried to wake him with that. She even tried to kiss him awake.

But nothing.

"Dammit, isn't there any way to wake him?"

She watched as a small smile curled up on Fred's face, her heart immediately fluttering with relief.

"Marry me."

"You're a right git," she said almost in a shout. "That is probably the worst timing for a joke you could have ever chosen, Fred Weasley." She hit him on the arm, refusing to help him up from his position.

George chuckled to himself as Fred opened his eyes and took in his surroundings.

He sat up slowly and tried to stretch out his torso, feeling stiff from Roman's tackle.

Fred caught Roman's eye and gave him a half smile. "I owe you one."

"I'll let you know when I'm redeeming." Roman dusted himself off, checking the condition of his wand soon after. "I'm gonna go look for Mikey."

Clara nodded curtly, Roman jogging away as soon as he could see a break in attacks.

Looking back at the twins, Clara immediately cast a spell past them towards the stairs, a Death Eater leaping to the right just in time to avoid it. "We need to move. Now."